This Water is much Superior to the preceding, as all the Ingredients will give their Virtues to the Tincture, tho’ they will not rise in Distillation. It is a noble Alexipharmic, it strengthens the Stomach, and greatly assists Digestion; it is also an excellent Carminative and good against the Cholic and Gripes: Its Cordial Virtues renders it serviceable in all Tremblings of the Nerves, and Depressions of the Spirits.
CHAP. XVIII.
Of Wormwood Water.
There are two Sorts of Wormwood Water, distinguished by the Epithets of greater and lesser.
Recipe for making ten Gallons of the lesser Composition of Wormwood Water.
Take of the Leaves of dried Wormwood five Pounds; of the lesser Cardamom-seeds five Ounces; of Coriander seeds one Pound; of clean Proof Spirit eleven Gallons; Water one Gallon; draw off ten Gallons, or till the Faints begin to rise, with a gentle Fire. It may be dulcified with Sugar, or not, at pleasure.
This is a good Stomachic and Carminative; and on that Account often called for.
Recipe for ten Gallons of the greater Composition of Wormwood Water.
Take of the common and Sea Wormwood, dried, of each ten Pounds; of Sage, Mint, and Baum dried, of each twenty Handfuls; of the Roots of Galangal, Ginger, Calamus Aromaticus, and Elecampane; of the Seed of sweet Fennel and Coriander, of each three Ounces; of Cinnamon, Cloves, and Nutmegs, the lesser Cardamoms and Cubebs, of each two Ounces. Cut and bruise the Ingredients as they require; digest them twenty-four Hours, in eleven Gallons of fine Proof Spirit, and two Gallons of Water, and draw off ten Gallons, or till the Faints begin to rise, with a pretty brisk Fire.
This is an excellent Composition, and good in all Diseases of the Stomach arising either from Wind or a bad Digestion. It is greatly in use in some Parts of England, but comes too dear for the common Sort of People; on which account a Cordial Water is often sold under the Title of the greater Composition of Wormwood Water; drawn from the Leaves of Wormwood, Orange and Lemon-peel, Calamus Aromaticus, Pimento, and the Seeds of Anise and Caraway; which being all cheap Ingredients, the Composition may be sold at a moderate Price. A Water drawn in this manner is a good Carminative; but far inferior to that made by the above Recipe.